Stage 2 - Forward-facing car seat

It is recommended that your child moves from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat when they turn 2, or has outgrown their rear-facing car seat. There are several measures you should follow to keep your child safe in their forward-facing car seat.

Before using your forward-facing car seat

Ask a child restraint technician at Plunket, other hire outlet or retailer for help. They can check to ensure that your child’s car seat is installed correctly. Find one in your area using our Plunket Near You directory.

Use an approved car seat, right for your child’s weight and size until it doesn’t fit. Size is more important than age when you’re choosing a car seat.

Follow the instruction manual to install a car seat. Safety depends on fitting the seat correctly.

If the car seat has a top tether strap to hold the seat in securely, install it and use it correctly. A correctly fitted restraint keeps your child safe.

Put child car seats on the back seat. This is the safest place for a child. Airbags inflate with enough force to seriously injure a child.

Only put a car seat in the front if all the back seat places are occupied. If you have to use the front seat, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible.

Your child is best protected in their forward-facing car seat until they have outgrown it.